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Map: Southern Avenue and Longmore

MESA, Ariz. -- Mesa police are asking for the public's help in identifying a man in an attempted rape and several indecent exposure incidents over the past two years.

The first crime was reported in January 2012 at an apartment near Southern Avenue and Longmore in west Mesa. A man reportedly gained access to an apartment in an attempt to sexually assault an occupant but fled before completing the act.

He was described as a thin black male in his 20s, between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet 2 inches tall, and having dark curly hair.

Police said since the attempted rape, there have been several reports of a man matching that description exposing himself to and masturbating in front of women in several apartment complexes in the area. The most recent incident occurred in February.

"I leave (in the) morning, come back when it's dark, and my girls walk to school every day," said Lynn Jones, who lives in the area. "Luckily, nothing's happened but I've never had to encounter something like this in my own area, right in my backyard before so yeah, that's very concerning."

Two victims provided information for composite pictures.

One woman who lives in the area and looked at the photos said she thinks she has seen the man lurking around, sometimes wearing a hooded jacket.

Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to contact the Mesa Police Department at 480-644-2211 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.